Grassley, Ernst to Participate in Iowa Ag Summit

Grassley and Ernst, Ag Committee Members and Fellow U.S. Senators, to Participate in Iowa Ag Summit

DES MOINES, Iowa – Sen. Charles Grassley, a lifelong family farmer and decades-long advocate of renewable energy, and Sen. Joni Ernst, who grew up on a family farm and is a leader in efforts to push back undue regulations on the agriculture sector, said today they will participate in the second Iowa Ag Summit in Des Moines on Aug. 5.

Grassley a former chairman and current member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, has been a leading voice in protecting agriculture exports in the event President Trump presses to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada. He also is active in seeking a 2018 Farm Bill that provides a safety net for farmers during times of crisis and is working to protect rural hospitals as federal officials attempt to replace the Affordable Care Act. Grassley, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, also has spoken out about proposed Dow-DuPont merger and its impact on farmers. He has pledged to keep a close watch on agribusiness consolidations and backs vigorous enforcement of anti-trust laws.

“There are many issues that affect the well-being of rural Iowans and all rural Americans,” Grassley said. “I share in the responsibility of speaking up for rural America and offering common-sense approaches to address our challenges and make the most of our opportunities. I welcome the opportunity to join in this year’s summit.”

Ernst also serves on the agriculture committee, introduced legislation approved by the Senate to scrap the Environmental Protection Agency’s expanded definition of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS). She is deeply engaged in defending the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which is designed to promote the use of renewable fuels, including ethanol and biodiesel, and “has proven to be a major driver of alternative fuels and economic development.”

“The RFS and WOTUS are two examples – one very positive and the other extremely negative – of the massive influence that government policy can and does have on our economy and the livelihoods of so many Americans,” Ernst said. “I want to keep federal policy on the right track and we do that by making our voices heard through events like the Iowa Ag Summit.”

The Iowa Ag Summit, which will be held in the Iowa Events Center, will highlight trade, energy, sustainability, the environment, corporate mergers, the 2018 farm bill and other issues important to agriculture’s future. Event organizer Bruce Rastetter hailed the participation of both U.S. senators from Iowa.

“When many Iowans think of agriculture policy, they often think first of Chuck Grassley. Our senior senator has fought the good fight on every issue important to rural Iowa,” he said. “It’s not surprising that he would take the time to participate in this year’s summit but it is certainly appreciated very much.”

Rastetter added, “Joni Ernst has quickly established herself as a respected voice on the big issues affecting rural America. She has been a great partner to Chuck Grassley on issues such a defending rural health care, renewable fuels and international trade that’s fair to U.S. farmers while also forging a reputation in her own right as a fighter who prevails on very challenging issues like the EPA’s overreach. I’m so happy she’s able to join us for the summit.”

This year’s summit, sponsored by Summit Agricultural Group, will feature, state, regional, national and international officials. It will include keynote speeches, panel discussions and agricultural exhibits, providing a platform for elected officials, public policy leaders, agri-business leaders and the public to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing today’s agricultural industry.

Rastetter and Summit Agricultural Group hosted the first-ever Iowa Ag Summit in March 2015, featuring one-on-one discussions on agriculture and economic issues with the field of presidential candidates. For more information, please visit: www.IowaAgSummit.com or for ticket information, please contact Jill Ryan at (515) 282-3000 or [email protected]